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What can spend years in space and still be useful? I'd have though a rocket the launches from earth to land anywhere would be more useful than an orbiting vehic
by kristianp 1y ago
What can spend years in space and still be useful? I'd have though a rocket the launches from earth to land anywhere would be more useful than an orbiting vehicle that can land on demand.
- rbanffy 1y agoIt does, but it's also more expensive and might take longer to prep and launch. This splits launch and delivery in two separate steps. I confess I'm struggling to find a payload that can remain in space for weeks or months and still be delivered by a highly visible fireball (for most of the trajectory) and an easily trackable lander to someone on the ground who would rather not have their precise position known. But that's just me. Sounds a bit overengineered for civilian applications.
- WastedCucumber 1y agoI also struggle to see any application. All I can think of is delivering emergency rations and cold weather clothing/gear to civilians stranded in remote mountains by a plane crash. But as far as I'm aware, nothing like that has happened since the 70's. Leaving aside the question of who would fund that.
- rbanffy 1y agoAlso, if you know well enough where they are, you can use an airplane or a helicopter to drop supplies.
- LargoLasskhyfv 1y agohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brilliant_Pebbles https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brilliant_Pebbles